PLANS to introduce traffic calming in four village streets have won approval despite objections.

Durham County Council will install speed cushions and speed humps in Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street.

Cushions will be laid in Medway - a bus route - and humps will be fitted in Loefield, Riding Hill and High Barnes.

The council had carried out consultation, sending letters to 334 homes in the area, and four people objected, the council's highways committee was told.

Highways director Roger Elphick said a resident in Medway, who owned various American classic cars, was among the objectors.

Mr Elphick said the resident was worried because American classic cars "have a longer wheel base and lower ground clearance".

"He objects on the grounds that he would be unable to get the cars to his property, thereby invalidating his insurance," said Mr Elphick.

"He also objects to the scheme on the grounds that he feels it unfair that other drivers and himself have to suffer due to complaints by, usually, non-drivers."

Mr Elphick said only cushions were proposed in Medway, not humps, and these could be set at a lower height near the objector's home.

A resident of High Barnes also objected because she has a 42-year-old car with low ground clearance that would not be able to sit on the drive if humps were installed.

Mr Elphick said the height of the humps could be reduced near the property